Poly-MVA explained

Poly-MVA (or Lipoic Acid Mineral Complex) is a dietary supplement created by Merrill Garnett (1931 -), a former dentist turned biochemist. Poly-MVA is an unproven alternative cancer treatment.[1]

Description

The "MVA" in "Poly-MVA" means "minerals vitamins and amino acids".[1] Poly-MVA contains lipoic acid, acetylcysteine, palladium, B vitamins, and other ingredients.[2] The substance is red-brown liquid that is taken by mouth.[1]

In 2004, a year's supply of Poly-MVA was reported as costing US$19,800.[3] As of 2019, the cost appears to fluctuate according to an individual's situation and dosage.[4]

Alternative medicine

Poly-MVA is promoted with claims that it can treat a variety of human diseases, including cancer and HIV/AIDS.[1] The promotional effort is supported by customer testimonials, but there is no medical evidence that Poly-MVA confers any health benefit and some concern it may inhibit the effectiveness of mainstream cancer treatments if used at the same time.[1] [2]

In 2005, Poly-MVA was listed as one of the ineffective alternative cancer treatments being sold by the clinics clustered in and around Tijuana, Mexico.[5] None of the information referenced in this review is specific to Poly-MVA.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: . American Cancer Society Complete Guide to Complementary and Alternative Cancer Therapies . 2nd . 2009 . 9780944235713 . Russell J, Rovere A . 804–807 . Poly-MVA . https://archive.org/details/americancancerso0000unse/page/804 .
  2. Book: Cassileth BR, Yeung KS, Gubili J . Herb-drug Interactions in Oncology . https://books.google.com/books?id=etCkDPOW_oMC&pg=PA536 . 2010 . PMPH-USA . 978-1-60795-041-7 . 536 . Polydox.
  3. Is this cancer-fighting supplement too good to be true? . Women's Health Letter . May . 2004 . 4.
  4. Book: Milne, MD, Robert D.. Poly-MVA: A New Supplement in the Fight Against Cancer. Basic Health Publications. Inc.. 2004. 1591200490.
  5. 10.1177/1534735404273918. Patient Perspectives: Tijuana Cancer Clinics in the Post-NAFTA Era. 2005. Moss. R. W.. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 4. 65–86. 15695477. 1. free.